Amcha Israel Candidate Quits Race Amidst Falling Polls
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Davidi Ben-Zion, eighth on the Amcha Israel party list, withdrew from the election campaign on October 13, citing falling poll numbers and pressure from other parties. The party risks not crossing the electoral threshold. Religious Zionism Chairman Bezalel Smotrich praised Ben-Zion's move and urged party leader Ofer Vinter to withdraw. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also supported Ben-Zion's decision and called on other candidates to follow suit to ensure a right-wing victory in the upcoming October 27 elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Davidi Ben-Zion withdrew from the Amcha Israel party's election list on October 13.
- Amcha Israel faces low poll numbers and risks not crossing the electoral threshold.
- Religious Zionism Chairman Bezalel Smotrich urged Ofer Vinter to withdraw his party from the race.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Ben-Zion's decision and called for other candidates to withdraw.
- Ben-Zion will continue as deputy head of the Samaria regional council.
Davidi Ben-Zion, who held the eighth position on the Amcha Israel party list led by Ofer Vinter, announced on October 13 that he is withdrawing from the election campaign. The party, facing declining poll numbers, risks not crossing the electoral threshold in the upcoming Knesset elections scheduled for October 27. Ben-Zion cited intense pressure from the Likud and Religious Zionism parties, as well as consultations with Rabbi Eliakim Levanon and former minister Ayelet Shaked, as factors in his decision. Shaked reportedly shared her experience from the 2019 elections, suggesting Vinter's party might also fail to pass the threshold. Ben-Zion stated his decision was driven by a sense of duty and the high probability of votes being wasted, emphasizing his commitment to serving the residents of Samaria and the people of Israel in his role as deputy head of the Samaria regional council.
The Amcha Israel party expressed regret over Ben-Zion's departure, attributing it to "unacceptable and disgusting pressure" from those unwilling to see new forces enter Israeli politics. They thanked him for his contribution and acknowledged the immense pressure he and his family faced.
Religious Zionism Chairman Bezalel Smotrich praised Ben-Zion's move as "brave and difficult," driven by national responsibility to prevent a loss of power for the national camp and the rise of the left due to wasted votes. Smotrich urged Vinter to also withdraw from the race, citing polls showing his party's failure to pass the electoral threshold. He further called on other Amcha Israel candidates, Eran Ben-Ari and Lali Deri, to follow Ben-Zion's example and take responsibility to avoid a "colossal damage" to Israel from a left-wing government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Ben-Zion's decision, stating it recognized that Vinter's party participation jeopardizes the right-wing bloc. Netanyahu encouraged other candidates on Vinter's list to withdraw to ensure a right-wing victory.
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